There is such a vast amount of information out there in the public domain that it is sometimes very hard for us to make sense of it all or even to make a choice about our health treatments.
I am a layperson that got interested in “other” treatments when I left my general practitioner’s office unconvinced by his theories about my ailing health. I did not want to be tired any more, but suspected that I first had to get to the bottom of the despondency that I seemed to drown in.

The first confusing thing I ran into was what were alternative, complementary, natural and holistic medicine - were they all the same thing?
I wanted to learn more about the cause of the ailments and not on how to suppress the symptoms. And so I became a strong supporter of the holistic health approach. The adjective “holistic” (often spelled wholistic) spans all four health domains vs. any one of them, spiritual, emotional, physical and mental.
Holistic medicine works in harmony with the body’s rhythms and energies, bringing it back as close as possible to its original state. It speaks of “treating the whole person” and harmonizing the person with nature and refers to the various traditional and modern systems of health protection and restoration, which are based on the body’s natural healing powers, the many ways the different tissues affect each other and the influence of the external environment.
A toxic environment, whether it is family, belief, or relationship, is one which impinges on someone’s holistic health. Holistic health looks at life from the perspective that humans function as complete, integrated units rather than as the sum of separate parts.

Alternative medicine is often the term used to describe therapies such as Homeopathy, Acupuncture and Naturopathy and provides a genuine alternative to your family doctor’s surgery. The greatest benefit is achieved when holistic practitioners practice alongside conventional doctors but sadly, in most countries this is still more the exception than the rule!

Some therapies like metamorphic technique, chelation therapy or Hopi ear candles are effective within a limited range of conditions and are quite restricted and so are by definition complementary.

Most people think natural medicine must imply that there is something inherently good about being natural - but not all things natural are beneficial. Arsenic is natural but certainly not beneficial! The biggest challenge is that most of these therapies are certainly not natural, like Homeopathy or Flower Essence.
Most therapies involve a concept of natural, vital energy, which provides the driving force for life itself.
Asthma inhalers, antibiotics and steroids never actually cure chronic conditions and often leave people dependent on drugs for partial relief.
The holistic approach alleviates symptoms while working towards a real cure that removes the need for treatment of any kind.
Generally, the more authentically our spiritual, emotional, physical and mental needs are met both locally and chronically, the higher the state of our holistic health.

Lizette le Clus-Fox is an ardent advocate for a holistic approach to health and runs http://www.wellnessthoughts.com and her ezine Wellness Thoughts provides regular in-depth information. To learn more about holistic health visit her web site today!

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The name of the disease is not what concerns the person who treats the patient holistically, for they are looking at the die-ease in the patient, not the gout. Gout is a manifestation of the dis-ease in the patient, treating the presenting symptoms with drugs for the inflammation and pain may well relieve the symptoms temporarily, but it’s not treating the cause of the condition.

So what is the cause of gout? One might be told that some families have a predisposition to gout, and you may be told that some foods exacerbate the condition, and that’s about all that can be done if you are treated conventionally, you will also be given some prescription drugs to alleviate your pain, and to reduce inflammation. If you do nothing else to correct the cause of your gout, then it’s very unlikely you will see any improvement in your health.

You may say that since you have been taking a certain drug that you have not had any gout attacks, and as far as you are concerned not much else matters. Unfortunately the prescription drugs have only palliated your condition, and with constant ingestion of anti-inflammatory drugs and pain killers your gouty condition will continue to develop behind the scenes, and your general health will deteriorate as a result of the drugs you are taking.

Alternative medicine, depending on what modality you have chosen, would firstly want to overhaul your diet, for a diet rich in purine foods would certainly exacerbate the condition, and may even be solely responsible for your gout.

Foods high in purines and are therefore to be avoided: Meat gravies, stocks, organ meats, shellfish, anchovies, sardines, herrings, mussels, mushrooms and asparagus. Alcohol, particularly beer is high in purines, and for that reason must be avoided. Any alcohol taken should be followed by copius amounts of water to avoid dehydration and consequent uric acid build-up. Meat, white flour, sugar, poultry, dried beans, fish, oatmeal,cauliflower, spinach and peas are moderately high in purines, and may need to be avoided.

The ideal diet should contain lots of organic fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and a very important dietary addition is wheat grass. Fruits, vegetables and juices assist the excretion of uric acid, and foods that neutralize uric acid are strawberries, cherries, and celery juice, also drink lots of filtered water. Many people have found that the addition of cherry juice to their diet has prevented further gout attacks.

You may be given herbs or homeopathic remedies for your condition, however a change in your dietary habits may be all that is needed to improve your health. What a simple answer to what could remain a life-time problem if you may no effort to change your eating habits. If you wish to rid yourself of your gout, alternative medicine can certainly help you.

Colleen Redman webmaster and publisher of http://www.goutyjoint.com This site offers many alternative treatments for gout and provides tips and articles to treat gout.

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What is alternative medicine? This is a term used to describe the different forms of medicine other than conventional methods. Alternative medicine includes a wide variety of medical practices including non-European (non-Western) medical practices and will include some new approaches to medicine. There is also a term called complementary medicine. This is a combination of conventional medicine coupled with alternative medicine.

With increasing research and new findings in medicine there is a universal rise in the Western nations of alternative medicine. In the Eastern part of the world, namely the Orient, some forms of alternative medicine has been practiced for many centuries. Part of this trend in the West may be due to the growth of medical education among people and the increased amount of travel to different regions. More literature is now available on this subject and medical societies specializing in different forms of alternative medicine are available.

Some of the most common forms of alternate medicine are:

Acupuncture
Homeopathy
Naturopathic medicine
Osteopathy

Acupuncture: this is an ancient art which had its origins in the Orient. It involves manipulating and inserting needles into special points in the body. It is thought to restore health and create well-being. There are several forms of acupuncture which are taught worldwide. This is one of the most famous forms of alternative medicine.

Homeopathy: is a form of medicine that tries to stimulate the body’s immune system in order to promote healing. The practice of Homeopathy endeavors to bring the entire body back into homeostasis, or balance.

Naturopathic medicine: Is a practice that is designed to stimulate the body’s own healing system. This system utilizes multiple forms of alternative medicine. It can also be referred to as Natural therapy, and can include dietary supplements, exercise and different foods.

Osteopathy: Was originally a form of alternative medicine based on manipulation of the joints. It is still used for chronic back pain. It is often used with other forms of medicine.

When treating illness and serious diseases it is important to consult your physician before taking any decisions. Many doctors will endorse some sort of alternative medicine coupled with conventional medicine, especially if conventional medicine is not proving very effective for a chronic condition. Despite the lack of credibilty given it by MD.s, some alternative medicine can work surprisingly well. It will all depend on your particular illness and your own body’s functionality whether alternative medicine will work well for you.

Zach Thompson is a Glyconutrients Consultant. His clients range from pro athletes and actresses, to cancer patients and children with Learning Disabilities. To learn if glyconutrients can help you, visit Buy Glyconutrients Product

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